True Will

by William Triplett

Full-length: It's spring of 1941, and the Nazi blitz that has overrun mainland Europe is on the verge of destroying Britain. Why then does Rudolf Hess suddenly drop in – literally – wanting to talk peace? Is it a trick, or is he merely, as he appears to be, insane?

And why does Winston Churchill allow the raging occultist/mystic Aleister Crowley to interrogate Hess?

Worse, why are an unknown officer named Ian...

Full-length: It's spring of 1941, and the Nazi blitz that has overrun mainland Europe is on the verge of destroying Britain. Why then does Rudolf Hess suddenly drop in – literally – wanting to talk peace? Is it a trick, or is he merely, as he appears to be, insane?

And why does Winston Churchill allow the raging occultist/mystic Aleister Crowley to interrogate Hess?

Worse, why are an unknown officer named Ian Fleming (still a great disappointment to his mother) and a famous actor-playwright – Noel Coward, of all people – supervising this dubious venture?

Add in the sudden appearance of the ghost of Fleming's former fiancée, a blithe spirit if there ever was, and suddenly the fate of the entire United Kingdom – not to mention the new play Coward is trying to come up with and Fleming’s impending wedding – are all on the line.

A historical spoof of alliances, patriotism, egos, magic, artistic inspiration, the origins of James Bond, and the sexual aspects of yoga, all of which lead Fleming to make a life-changing discovery and decision.

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True Will

Recommended by

  • Kim E. Ruyle: True Will

    True Will is brilliantly imaginative, a treasure trove of Easter eggs for aficionados of Ian Fleming, Noel Coward, WW2 history, yoga, the occult, and more. Triplett is a true craftsman – his script is intelligent, engaging, fast paced, and populated with delightful characters who deliver one clever line after another. Highly recommended.

    True Will is brilliantly imaginative, a treasure trove of Easter eggs for aficionados of Ian Fleming, Noel Coward, WW2 history, yoga, the occult, and more. Triplett is a true craftsman – his script is intelligent, engaging, fast paced, and populated with delightful characters who deliver one clever line after another. Highly recommended.

  • Rachel Feeny-Williams: True Will

    You always know you're onto a winner when the character list makes you smile. From there you are catapulted into a brilliantly funny (laugh out loud funny) play with wonderfully witty back and forth dialogue ("Ah, yes. Noël Coward and the lesser Fleming. This cannot be good." - Fabulous!) This play is one that carries its audience through a fabulously funny story constructed of unique characters and great dialouge. Its that perfect mixture that makes a reader wants to see it live!

    You always know you're onto a winner when the character list makes you smile. From there you are catapulted into a brilliantly funny (laugh out loud funny) play with wonderfully witty back and forth dialogue ("Ah, yes. Noël Coward and the lesser Fleming. This cannot be good." - Fabulous!) This play is one that carries its audience through a fabulously funny story constructed of unique characters and great dialouge. Its that perfect mixture that makes a reader wants to see it live!

  • Christopher Plumridge: True Will

    To bring such varied historical characters together like this is truly inspired! Triplett brings us such a strong, believable character analysis of Noel Coward, and I couldn't help but smile as I saw the story of Blythe Spirit unfold. Indeed this whole play had me smiling throughout, I would love to see this staged, it would be hilarious! There's even one section where the characters find the whole story so unbelievable that they assume they might be in a play themselves! BRILLIANT!

    To bring such varied historical characters together like this is truly inspired! Triplett brings us such a strong, believable character analysis of Noel Coward, and I couldn't help but smile as I saw the story of Blythe Spirit unfold. Indeed this whole play had me smiling throughout, I would love to see this staged, it would be hilarious! There's even one section where the characters find the whole story so unbelievable that they assume they might be in a play themselves! BRILLIANT!

View all 8 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Bay City Players (MI), Year 2020
  • Type Reading, Organization Panndora Productions, Year 2016
  • Type Reading, Organization Playwrights Forum (Washington, D.C.), Year 2016

Awards

  • Summer Playwrights Festival
    The Road Theatre Co.
    Semi-Finalist
    2017
  • Panndora's Box New Works Festival
    Panndora Productions
    Winner
    2016